Category: Proxy42

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Take the Battle to the Streets as AR Title Father.IO Launches

Earlier this year VRFocus reported on augmented reality (AR) startup company Proxy42 announcing a successful investment round lead by Lenovo Capital and Chinese game publisher iDreamSky, securing the firm $2 million USD. This was after completing an IndieGoGo campaign for its AR laser tag experience Father.IO and a peripheral called Inceptor. Now Proxy42 has announced the apps release and pre-orders for the device.

Father.IO is a free app for Android and iOS devices that when paired with the Inceptor becomes massively multiplayer first-person AR shooter – without the Inceptor the multiplayer cannot be accessed. With the Inceptor attached to their smartphone players can choose from four distinct classes, each with their own weapons, abilities, and upgrades, in two modes 16 vs 16 team deathmatches or a 32 player free for all.

Father.IO - Inceptor

There are four different weapons available: Assault rifle, Sniper rifle, SMG and handgun, each with a different shooting distance, accuracy, rate of fire and damage potential. While the player abilities are Ammo crate, Medikit, EMP and Claymore.

Players can take advantage of a satellite minimap to coordinate attacks and set up ambushes on unsuspecting enemies, while defeated players can “respawn” to re-enter the game and strike back.

The Inceptor device uses Bluetooth to connect to a smartphone whilst communicating with other units using a proprietary infrared projection and sensing technology to enable accuracy up to 150 feet away (50m).

“We knew we had something special when we write the first lines of code for Father.IO. Our thoughts were confirmed when our Indiegogo campaign went viral and soared past its original goal. The entertainment world has been looking for something revolutionary since the original Doom revealed the possibilities of 3D gaming, and we believe that Proxy42 can use AR technology to show new ways you can play games,” said Francesco Ferrazzino, CEO and Founder of Proxy42 and inventor of Father.IO in a statement. “We’re excited to finally share Father.IO with the world. This whole journey feels like a dream and while we are proud of what Proxy42 has been able to accomplish so far, this is only the beginning. We will continue to innovate new ways to use AR and usher in a new era of gaming. Fair warning, once you play Father.IO, you’ll never want to go back to your console.”

The Father.IO app is freely available to download now but you will need to buy Inceptor to get the most out of the experience. Inceptor can be purchased from retailers Brookstone and Amazon for $39.99 USD/£39.99 GBP.

For any further updates from Proxy42, keep reading VRFocus.

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AR Company Proxy42 Secures $2 Million Investment from Lenovo and iDreamSky

Proxy42, an augmented reality (AR) company specialising in laser tag experiences, has announced investment round lead by Lenovo Capital and Chinese game publisher iDreamSky securing $2 million USD.

The funding will help Proxy42 continue software and business development, as well as accelerate manufacturing capabilities of the Inceptor, a keychain-size device that attaches to and augments an iOS or Android smartphone via Bluetooth, which is used with massively multiplayer, first-person, action game Father.io.

Proxy42 - Inceptor

Proxy42 initially launched Father.io through crowdfunding site Indiegogo in 2016 raising more than $432,629 with 15,000 Inceptor units sold to more than 6,700 backers. Additionally, the company recently signed a deal with product developer and specialty retailer Brookstone, who’ll manufacture the Inceptor hardware and serve as the exclusive North American retailer and distributor for the product.

“This investment legitimizes our approach and the growing market demand for augmented reality experiences” said Francesco Ferrazzino, CEO and Founder, Proxy42, and inventor of Father.io. “We’ve created something special with Father.io and the Inceptor technology that activated thousands of consumers to back our Indiegogo campaign. Our vision of creating a more playful world is really taking hold through our AR laser tag game, and we look forward to making it a reality in the coming months with our new investors on board.”

“We’re actively looking to expand our business and invest in innovations in AR and VR that enable deeper, more immersive experiences in games and entertainment,” said Jeff Lyndon, President and Co-Founder of iDreamSky. “Proxy42 is at the forefront of elevating games to this new level by augmenting smartphones with Inceptor technology, and will surely fuel the development of a whole new slate of AR games for mobile.”

“We have a growing interest in the rising AR category, and Proxy42’s talent and impressive development of the platform drew us to the company,” said Dennis Song, the Vice President , of Lenovo. “Their Inceptor hardware has the potential to create an ecosystem of AR experiences using the power of the smartphone that we all already own, making AR more accessible to consumers worldwide.”

The Inceptor will be available to the public later this year at Brookstone stores and online, while Father.io will launch for free on Google Play and the App Store.

For further updates on Proxy42, the Interceptor and Father.io, keep reading VRFocus.

Posted on

AR Company Proxy42 Secures $2 Million Investment from Lenovo and iDreamSky

Proxy42, an augmented reality (AR) company specialising in laser tag experiences, has announced investment round lead by Lenovo Capital and Chinese game publisher iDreamSky securing $2 million USD.

The funding will help Proxy42 continue software and business development, as well as accelerate manufacturing capabilities of the Inceptor, a keychain-size device that attaches to and augments an iOS or Android smartphone via Bluetooth, which is used with massively multiplayer, first-person, action game Father.io.

Proxy42 - Inceptor

Proxy42 initially launched Father.io through crowdfunding site Indiegogo in 2016 raising more than $432,629 with 15,000 Inceptor units sold to more than 6,700 backers. Additionally, the company recently signed a deal with product developer and specialty retailer Brookstone, who’ll manufacture the Inceptor hardware and serve as the exclusive North American retailer and distributor for the product.

“This investment legitimizes our approach and the growing market demand for augmented reality experiences” said Francesco Ferrazzino, CEO and Founder, Proxy42, and inventor of Father.io. “We’ve created something special with Father.io and the Inceptor technology that activated thousands of consumers to back our Indiegogo campaign. Our vision of creating a more playful world is really taking hold through our AR laser tag game, and we look forward to making it a reality in the coming months with our new investors on board.”

“We’re actively looking to expand our business and invest in innovations in AR and VR that enable deeper, more immersive experiences in games and entertainment,” said Jeff Lyndon, President and Co-Founder of iDreamSky. “Proxy42 is at the forefront of elevating games to this new level by augmenting smartphones with Inceptor technology, and will surely fuel the development of a whole new slate of AR games for mobile.”

“We have a growing interest in the rising AR category, and Proxy42’s talent and impressive development of the platform drew us to the company,” said Dennis Song, the Vice President , of Lenovo. “Their Inceptor hardware has the potential to create an ecosystem of AR experiences using the power of the smartphone that we all already own, making AR more accessible to consumers worldwide.”

The Inceptor will be available to the public later this year at Brookstone stores and online, while Father.io will launch for free on Google Play and the App Store.

For further updates on Proxy42, the Interceptor and Father.io, keep reading VRFocus.